Telescope Reviews: Re: Canon 15x50 IS vs. Canon 18x50 IS sharper?

Kenny,

The battery issue is one that I see raised by many who have not extensively used the Canon IS bins, but you may have noted that almost no one who has a Canon considers it a problem. As CES Dewar, I use NiMh cells with them, and I can tell you that even with much more than 3 hours a day of use, I have never had to change cells twice during a single day. The 10x42 L draws even less current, and with my newest 2700 mAh Varta cells, I recently went through some three weeks without replacing or recharging the cells, even though I used the binoculars some 2-4 times per week. I need to point out, though, that I have also had a bad experience with Energizer 2500 mAh cells, which had an infuriating tendency to drain themselves during storage in a matter of weeks. I've swallowed the loss and recycled them since, as having unreliable spares is almost worse than no spares. Sanyo has been advertising a new rechargeable cell which is supposed to hold its charge for a year, so those might be worth a try.

The 50mm and 42mm Canons require the widest neoprene strap you can find for them, but then they can be quite comfortable to use and even carry for hours (at least, they are for me). The rounded body rests nicely on you palms, and you can substantially reduce hand fatigue by having a 12-20" mini-monopod screwed into the tripod thread. You can then hold the stick with one or both hands, vary your arm position and keep your hands down over your belly.

I have only tried the 18x50 very briefly on a couple of occasions, but would second Kenny's impressions about the sharpness. Sample variation among the binoculars will play a role here, but in any case the 18x will show optical defects more readily than the 15x, and a person with very sharp eyes will perceive the limits of the binocular's resolution a little more clearly with the 18x than with the 15x model. On the other hand, the difference in magnification is enough that the higher-power model will (sample quality being equal) very probably show slightly more daytime detail as well as fainter stars during the night. Personally, I prefer the subjectively slightly better-looking image of the 15x over the slightly more powerful and resolving 18x with its slightly softer-looking and slightly lower-contrast impression. So, you really do need to try out for yourself to see which configuration you prefer, and if you cannot, then just be happy with your choice and don't second-guess it too much.

Kimmo

Edited by Kimmo Absetz (06/01/07 02:51 AM)

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